1. Then, Zophar the Naamathite answered and said:
2. “Should so many words go unanswered? Is a man justified by his lips?
3. Will your idle talk silence men and will no one rebuke you when you mock?
4. For you have said, ‘My teaching is flawless’ and ‘I am pure in Your eyes!’
5. But if only God would speak and open His lips against you,
6. and show you the secrets of wisdom— for sound wisdom has two sides. Know that God has forgotten some of your iniquity.
7. “Can you discover the mysteries of God? Can you find the limits of Shaddai?
8. They are higher than the heavens —what can you do? They are deeper than Sheol —what can you know?
9. Its measure is longer than the earth and wider than the sea.
10. “If He comes by and imprisons, or convenes a court, who can prevent Him?
11. For He knows deceitful men; when He sees wickedness, does he not consider it?
12. But a witless man will gain understanding when a wild donkey’s colt is born a human being?
13. “If you devote your heart to Him and spread out your hands to Him,
14. if you put away the wickedness that is in your hand, and allow no iniquity to abide in your tent,
15. then you will lift up your face without reproach; you will stand firm and without fear.
16. You will forget your trouble; you will remember it like water that has flowed away.
17. Life will be brighter than noonday; darkness like the morning.
18. You will be confident, because there is hope; you will look about you and lie down in safety.
19. You will lie down with no one to make you afraid, many will seek your favor.
20. But the eyes of the wicked will fail, and escape will elude them; their only hope is their dying breath.”